The Most Extraordinary Experience: Knowing God Through His Word

Sometimes you hear talk about the most extraordinary experiences in life—climbing a difficult peak, seeing a natural wonder, or even traveling to a distant star system. We naturally picture grand, visible spectacles when we think of the sublime. But what if I told you that the most extraordinary experience available to us—the one that truly transforms us to be more like Him—is found in the quiet turning of a page?

It’s a concept that always strikes me when I’m studying the scriptures, especially when I think about the journey of discipleship. We spend so much time preparing for the field, for the inevitable missionary discussions, and we focus on the *doing*—the talks, the visits, the service. But sometimes, the key isn't in the grand gesture; it's in the revelation itself.

I was recently pondering some beautiful insights shared by a friend, connecting passages like 1 Samuel 3:21 with 2 Corinthians 3:18. The core question bubbling up is: How is God’s presence mediated to us? How do we know the living God personally?

The Word as the Mediator

The answer, time and time again, points back to the Word. In 1 Samuel 3:21, it records, “And the Lord appeared again at Shiloh, for the Lord revealed himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the Lord.” Notice the sequence. God doesn't just *show up*; He reveals Himself *by the word of the Lord*. It’s a profound reminder that God must take the initiative; we cannot climb up the universe into heaven to meet Him. He must stoop down and reveal Himself.

This idea—that the most extraordinary knowing happens through the ordinary act of reading or hearing—is both humbling and exhilarating for us disciples. It means that the study we do in our Book Clubs, the quiet moments during our personal scripture study, or even the focused effort we put into understanding the teachings of the restored gospel, are not just academic exercises. They are pathways to personal revelation.

A Lesson in Missionary Preparation

Think about young Samuel, mentioned just verses earlier in the chapter. He didn't yet know the Lord personally. He heard a voice, but he didn't recognize the source. He ran to Eli, thinking it was just a voice, not the living God speaking. This is so relatable, isn't it? Sometimes we approach the gospel with a sense of familiarity, thinking we know the answers, but we are still learning to recognize the voice of the Spirit when it speaks to us through the Word.

For those of us preparing for the field, or those of us who have recently returned and are helping new companions get oriented, this is gold. It teaches us that missionary preparation isn't just about memorizing answers for potential investigator questions; it’s about developing the spiritual sensitivity to recognize the *source* of the truth we are sharing. It’s about trusting the process of revelation.

“The most ordinary way of knowing him personally is by hearing and reading his word. The most extraordinary experience in the world knowing God personally happens through the ordinary experience of reading or hearing God's word.”

This principle applies to every aspect of our discipleship. It means that whether you are in the MTC, studying for your temple recommend, or simply having a quiet moment before bed, the Word is your guide. Don't underestimate the power of the quiet study time.

Keep the Revelation Flowing

If this thought has stirred your heart, I encourage you to take this principle with you this week. Don't just read the scriptures to check a box; read them as if you are meeting the living God through His revealed word. Let that realization fuel your efforts to be an internet missionary, a disciple anywhere, all the time.

For those who want to deepen this study, I highly recommend checking out the insights on this topic. And speaking of deepening study, have you had a chance to explore the Social Scripture Study layer in LivingBook lately? It’s a wonderful place to see how others are connecting verses and building on shared understanding!

If you’re looking for more insights on how to navigate those tough questions an investigator might ask, I highly recommend leveraging Davee. He’s trained in the AI Investigator role and can walk you through potential hurdles in your missionary discussions. Let’s keep building up our knowledge base together!